John Dramani Mahama
John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged that his administration will ensure women hold at least 30% of political appointments. This commitment will be realized through the implementation of the Affirmative Action Law, aimed at fostering gender equality in governance.
Speaking at the launch of the NDC’s Women’s Manifesto in Kumasi on Monday, September 30, Mahama emphasized the need for systemic change, declaring, “By operationalizing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024, we will ensure that women hold at least 30% of political appointments.”
Mahama posed a poignant question: “Why should poverty have a female face in Ghana?” He highlighted that women make up the majority of the unemployed population in the country and called for economic empowerment to be recognized as a fundamental right. “We want a Ghana where economic empowerment is not a privilege but a right,” he added, asserting that by 2025, women will occupy a significant percentage of government positions.
To support families, Mahama also announced plans to extend maternity leave to four months, while introducing one week of paternity leave for fathers—“Men must provide proof,” he quipped, underlining the importance of shared parental responsibilities.
Despite the vital role women play in the nation’s development, Mahama pointed out that gender inequality remains rampant, particularly in the informal sector, where women comprise 92% of the workforce, often without adequate safety nets. This sector is crucial, contributing between 30-40% of Ghana’s GDP.
Mahama warned that the current situation has exacerbated poverty among women. According to the 2020 Census, of Ghana’s 7.3 million poor individuals, 3.76 million are women. “Nearly 54% of unemployed people in Ghana are women. Why should poverty have a female face, with 1.44 million women classified as extremely poor and surviving on less than $1.90 a day?” he asked.
He called for action in response to these alarming statistics, insisting, “These numbers should not just shock us; they should spur us to act.”
Mahama poignantly noted that behind each statistic lies a woman—whether a mother, sister, or daughter—who works tirelessly yet goes to bed hungry. “They are the backbone of our communities, yet they bear the heaviest burdens of inequality,” he concluded, urging collective efforts to address the systemic issues facing women in Ghana.
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